The Chairman's Corner

By Alan Freese
August 2018

Good day to all. As your 2018-2019 Chairman, I have chosen St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital for my Chairman’s Choice Charity. Many times as movers, we find ourselves moaning and groaning about predicaments we find ourselves in. I can tell you that many of the predicaments we face as movers pale in comparison to the challenges these kids and their families face with devastating medical challenges. It’s tough enough to be a kid in today’s society, let alone being a kid with these types of challenges. I have started a go fund me page for this charity, here’s the link: https://www.gofundme.com/cmsa-chairmans-choice?teamInvite . I am inviting all CMSA members and friends to make this a big deal. I have set a lofty goal of $25,000. I know this might sound like a lot, BUT I know for a fact that the CMSA is comprised of many of the classiest people and businesses on the planet. I want to stress the impact St. Jude has on these kids and families, I encourage you to check out their website at www.stjude.org . They have many locations across the United States, serving thousands of kids and families each year. I’m fortunate that my family has never had to utilize their services. My daughter Shelby did fundraising for them her freshman year at Chico State, it was then that I realized how much they do for so many. I will be reminding each and every one of you every month from now until March to donate what you can. I want to thank all of you ahead of time on this for your generosity.

Back to business, I went to the Northern California Chapter President orientation on July 19th at Chipman Relocation & Logistics in Sacramento. Many thanks to John Chipman Jr. and Ed Melton for hosting this for us at least the last six or seven years.

A lot on the plate right now with BEARHFTI, they sure seem like they are going to aggressively take action on many levels. This is great news to the many that have endured less-than-average results in the past. From enforcement to restoration compliance and many other hot topics, they are truly engaged, and we are very thankful for that. If you have any concerns or ideas, please channel through Steve to make sure your concerns are addressed.

In the not-so-distant future, I will be heading out to the chapters for the Chairman/President visits. I’m truly looking forward to doing this, not just to get out of work, but to be able to take in and appreciate what other movers do and how they do it. The moving business is very diverse, and I’m always intrigued by different ways and methods used to get to the same result.

As we are now in the first week of August, soon Labor Day weekend will be here, and life will go back to regular speed for most. It used to be that Labor Day triggered kids back to school, now kids in our area are back in school second week of August – go figure. Steve and I will be traveling next month to the Fall PPF at Scott AFB. I’m sure there will be many hot buttons discussed during this event. Just as BEARHFTI has brought movers hope in California, Col. Lounsbrough is bringing hope to the movers nationwide. It will be interesting to hear what his views of this past peak season are and what he feels can be done to build on. I’m a strong believer that there is a need to create an Agency Advisory Panel made up of local agents from various areas of the United States. We all can agree that local agent concerns, needs and frustrations can be very different than TSP’s. Until local agents are given that ability to “have a seat at the table,” it will be an uphill battle. Let’s hope for the best as Col. Lounsbrough is very open-minded and driven to fix problems. Until next month, let’s be safe and sane (and don’t forget to go to the link and donate to St. Jude).

Cheers, Alan

August 2018 - CMSA Communicator